Triumph Bonneville colours and Colour codes

Triumph Colours and Colour Codes

Triumph Bonneville colour codes commonly used from the 1960s to 1980s. Note that exact colour codes varied slightly by year and market (UK vs US), and original paint formulas may not always align with modern codes. These are matched as closely as possible to modern equivalents (e.g., PPG, RM, Glasurit, or House of Kolor) when known.


Blues

Colour NameYear(s) UsedColour Code (Modern Equivalent)Notes
Pacific Blue1960s–1970sPPG 13358Popular on tanks and stripes
Astral Blue1970–1972PPG DQE-14029 / Glasurit 55-AU-9013Used with Silver or Olympic Flame
Riviera Blue1968–1969Custom MatchSimilar to Pacific Blue, lighter

Reds

Colour NameYear(s) UsedColour Code (Modern Equivalent)Notes
Carnival Red1969–1970PPG DQE-71274Seen on T120 and T150 tanks
Burgundy Red1970–1971PPG DQE-70751Deep, wine-coloured
Olympic Flame1971–1972PPG 60859Often paired with Astral Blue/Silver

Blacks and Greys

Colour NameYear(s) UsedColour Code (Modern Equivalent)Notes
Jet BlackThroughoutPPG 9300 / Glasurit 9005Standard gloss black
Silver Sheen1970sPPG DQE-8568Used as contrast colour (e.g. pinstripe)

???? Yellows and Golds

Colour NameYear(s) UsedColour Code (Modern Equivalent)Notes
Gold (Candy/Flake)Mid-late 1960sCustom Match (e.g. House of Kolor KBC)Used on custom or special trims

Greens

Colour NameYear(s) UsedColour Code (Modern Equivalent)Notes
British Racing GreenOccasionally usedPPG 46157 / Glasurit 68-70530Not common on Bonneville, but seen

Tips for Restoration:

  • PPG & Glasurit are the most frequently matched systems.
  • If you’re painting a bike, bring a sample or photo to a paint matching service.
  • Colour accuracy was not always precise back then—there were batch variances.

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